Red Sox Will Tender Contract To Kotchman

On July 22nd, the Red Sox made a surprising acquisition in first baseman Adam LaRoche.  Odder still, they shipped LaRoche to the Braves eleven days later for Casey Kotchman.  Perhaps the Sox simply felt two potential seasons of Kotchman had more value than one potential supplemental pick gained if they offered arbitration to LaRoche and he signed elsewhere.

We learned today that the Red Sox will not cut the arbitration-eligible Kotchman loose on Saturday, as WEEI's Alex Speier says they fully intend to tender him a contract.  Kotchman probably won't sign for much more than $3MM for 2010.  The Sox seem intent on moving Mike Lowell, so Kotchman would be the default starter at first base (with Kevin Youkilis moving to third) unless Adrian Beltre or another corner infielder is acquired.

Speier relays a suggestion from Red Sox GM Theo Epstein that the Red Sox have one non-tender candidate for Saturday.  Speier believes it to be outfielder Brian Anderson, who made our list.  Other outfielders who, in our estimation, might be non-tendered tomorrow: Jack Cust, Jonny Gomes, Gabe Gross, Ryan Langerhans, Jeremy Reed, and Cory Sullivan.